Gregory Alan Best (born July 23, 1964) is an equestrian competitor and coach in the sport of show jumping who won two silver medals for the United States in the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea riding the famous Gem Twist. In 1992, Best suffered a fall that shattered his shoulder."Gem Twist, U.S. Star, To Take His Final Bows". Finn, Robin. The New York Times. October 28, 1997. Referenced January 25, 2010. After this, he moved to New Zealand, where he rode for the New Zealand League, winning the World Cup Series. He has also served as a New Zealand National Show Jumping Selector, a National Show Jumping Coach and a member of the New Zealand Show Jumping High Performance Committee.Greg Best returns to CSU , Colorado State University, retrieved January 25, 2010. Best coached New Zealand's jumpers for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens.Show Jumpers Named to New Zealand Olympic Equestrian Team, New Zealand Olympic Committee, retrieved January 25, 2010. Between 1987 and 2003, Best also garnered 6 FEI World Cup wins. He now conducts coaching clinics in the United States, Canada and New Zealand. Along with Gem Twist, horses named Santos and Entrepreneur have been among his champion mounts.
Best graduated from Gill St. Bernard's School in 1982. He has been a resident of Flemington, New Jersey.Turmelle, Luther. "The Best; Olympic horseman returns to alma mater, displays medal", Courier News, November 19, 1988. Accessed April 7, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "When Olympic silver medalist Greg Best graduated from the prestigious Gill-St. Bernard's school here in 1982, he didn't leave on horseback. But yesterday morning, the Flemington resident returned to his alma mater that way."
Accomplishments
1984 – Won the North American Young Rider Championships 1985 – USET Talent Derby 1986 – USET Foundation Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Memorial Award 1987 – American Grand Prix Association Champion, Grand Prix of Florida, Grand Prix of Tampa 1987 – Team silver Pan American Games 1988 – Individual and team silver for show jumping in Seoul Summer Olympic Games 1990 – Final four in the World Equestrian Games 2001/2002 season – winner FEI World Cup Jumping – Pacific League – New Zealand
References